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poirot's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Suicide attempt, Racism, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Grief, and Racial slurs
Moderate: War, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Minor: Slavery, Mental illness, and Animal cruelty
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Unfinished Portrait is one of the six novels Agatha wrote under the pen name Mary Westmacott. It's not a crime novel, but is the life story of a woman named Celia and what brought her to the scene of desperation that begins the novel. There are some slow spots in the beginning. As much as I like the character of "Grannie", the chapter that focuses on Celia's time staying there took me a while to get through.
For the most part, however, this is an engaging, but sometimes depressing story. It's especially sad since when you know it's semi-autobiographical and Agatha's second husband Max Mallowan confirms in a quote on the book cover that, "In Celia we have more nearly than anywhere else a portrait of Agatha." If Agatha's life with her first husband Archie was anything like Celia's marriage to the self-centered Dermot, then I really admire her for getting past those rough years to start a new life with Max. I'm glad I read the book but prefer Christie's mysteries to the Mary Westmacott novels.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Unfinished Portrait is one of the six novels Agatha wrote under the pen name Mary Westmacott. It's not a crime novel, but is the life story of a woman named Celia and what brought her to the scene of desperation that begins the novel. There are some slow spots in the beginning. As much as I like the character of "Grannie", the chapter that focuses on Celia's time staying there took me a while to get through. For the most part, however, this is an engaging, but sometimes depressing story. It's especially sad since when you know it's semi-autobiographical and Agatha's second husband Max Mallowan confirms in a quote on the book cover that, "In Celia we have more nearly than anywhere else a portrait of Agatha." If Agatha's life with her first husband Archie was anything like Celia's marriage to the self-centered Dermot, then I really admire her for getting past those rough years to start a new life with Max. I'm glad I read the book but prefer Christie's mysteries to the Mary Westmacott novels.
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